Easy Street Records in West Seattle’s Junction was the 2012 Executive’s Small Business Award winner, and King County Executive Dow Constantine surrounded himself with audiophiles, vinyl and Lou Reed Rueben Sandwiches at the record shop on April 30 to open up the nomination period for an eventual 2013 winner.

During the celebration, Easy Street President Matt Vaughan said (via a King County press release), “One of the great honors Easy Street Records ever received was being recognized as the King County Small Business of the Year. It is a privilege to host and honor the candidates for the Small Business Awards 2013. We recognize the dedication and perseverance it takes to run a small business.

“If you look around your neighborhood and local community, it is small business that reflects King County's character and personality,” he added. “The impact small business makes on our economy is crucial. Please join us in saluting this year’s candidates."

“I am excited to celebrate our local small businesses for the third year in a row, and I encourage anyone who meets the criteria to apply,” Constantine said in a statement.

Here’s some additional background on the 3rd Annual Small Business Award process from King County:

An average of 125 firms are nominated each year. Three finalist firms are selected in each of seven categories, and winners are announced at a high-energy, breakfast-hour ceremony attended by nearly 250 people from local chambers of commerce, cities, and small business organizations.

The 2013 award ceremony will be held on Wednesday, September 25, 2013, at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, with appearances from emcee Pat Cashman and the Seahawks Blue Thunder Drumline.

Last year’s winners were selected by a panel of judges from local jurisdictions and business organizations. Winners receive a glass trophy at a breakfast ceremony attended by hundreds of their peers, a photo with Executive Constantine, recognition in a media release and placement on the King County website for the Small Business Awards.

Winners and finalists from previous years are ineligible for the 2013 awards. The Executive’s Small Business Awards are sponsored in partnership with KeyBank, Microsoft Corporation, the Economic Development Council of Seattle and King County, and the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County.

To submit a nomination for your favorite business, visit King County online at http://www.kingcounty.gov/exec/constantine/BusinessAward.aspx.